STOCKTON – Tony Stewart has not returned to racing since his involvement in a tragic accident that took a young driver’s life.

But the incident has led to changes.

Last week, NASCAR announced its drivers are prohibited from approaching the track or other moving cars after accidents, unless smoke is emitting from their car or if their car is on fire. Dave Philpott of Tracy, a driver and team owner with 40 years experience, said NASCAR's ruling reinforces what many tracks already have in place.

“I think the important thing is that now it will be really enforced,” Philpott said. “Most of the places you go you will hear during pre-race instructions to stay in your car if there’s a crash until the safety crew show up. It doesn’t always happen that way.”

Kevin Ward Jr., 20, was struck and killed by Stewart’s vehicle during a sprint car race on Aug. 8 at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in Canandaigua, N.Y. Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, will not compete today in Bristol, Tenn., the third consecutive Sprint Cup race he has skipped since the tragedy. He commented about the accident the day after it occurred, but has not since spoken to the media.

Tony Noceti, who promotes races at Stockton 99 Speedway and the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, brought Stewart to Stockton in 2013 to headline a World of Outlaws show, which drew more than 10,000 fans to the fairgrounds. He said he can only imagine the grief Stewart feels.

“It’s a terrible tragedy for our sport and everyone involved,” Noceti said. “I feel terrible for the young man and his family. And you know Tony feels terrible. It’s such a sad situation.”

Noceti drove for many years before becoming a promoter. He stresses his drivers to stay put after crashes, unless there is a fire or some other type of safety emergency that would require them to abandon their vehicle.

But in the often emotional sport of auto racing, it’s not always easy stay in control.

Many drivers have angrily left their car during races. Stewart did it in 2012 when he marched up the track and threw his helmet at the car of Matt Kenseth. And Philpott has lost his temper and climbed out while cars were moving on the track.

“It’s not the proper thing to do, but you lose your temper and sometimes you do things,” Philpott said. “Hopefully everyone understands how dangerous it can be.”

Video of the incident shows Stewart accelerating out of a turn on the back straightaway just prior to hitting Ward. Philpott’s experience is primarily in stock car racing, but he has worked on open-wheel car crews and said there’s a reason Stewart sped up at that point on the track.

“I wasn’t there. But the thing with sprint cars is that sometimes you don’t steer with the wheel, you steer with the gas pedal,” Philpott said. “The way it is set up, to get the car to turn left you have to hit the throttle. Stewart was doing what you normally would do coming out of a corner like that.”

Stewart has not been criminally charged, though the Ontario County (N.Y.) Sheriffs Department is investigating. Veteran driver Jeff Burton will replace him for the second week in a row.

Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281 or slinesburgh@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/sportsblog and on Twitter @ScottLinesburgh.